RUGBY FOOTBALL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 61, 25 July 1938, Page 3

RUGBY FOOTBALL

SATURDAY’S MATCHES JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE GAME The weather was fine cu Saturday for the football matches, but the ground was very muddy and gave off a bad smell, line third grade players had the field well churned up ior the junior match between the Opotiki and Omaio representatives, but despite this handicap, some very good play was seen.

In the curtain-raiser between High School and City, the latter easily had the upper hand and ran out winners with lb points to their opponents’ nil. The Junior Came. Omaio won the toss and Opotiki kicked off .'with the sun in their favour. The Opotiki forwards commenced with a dribbling rush which went well in the Omaio 25. The. visitors offended and Opotiki had a kick at goal but the ball fell over after being placed and failed to rise. Oniaio reached the Opotiki half but Opotiki broke away with the ball at tee and reached the Omaio 25. An Opotiki rush was spoilt by an infringement and the ball went to half-way. An Omaio rush went to the Opotiki line but- the hall was touched down just short of the line. The visiters were penalised but Opotiki forced soon afterwards. Opotiki again attacked and reached the Omaio 25. All infringement in the serum, gave Opotiki another shot at goal but the ball failed to rise. A fine piece of passing by the Opotiki backs nearly resulted in a score. After forcing. the visitors showed up well and had the advantage of the play. Play then went to the Oniaio half and from a scuffle near the line Debreceny scored. The kick failed. Opotiki J, Omaio 0.

Opotiki again attacked and Debreceny started off a good movement but Opotiki failed to take advantage of a good chance.. Opotiki remained near the line and then Oniaio cleared to near the half-way. Jhe visitors broke away hut an infringement resulted. Opotiki was om the defensive but another infringement held them up. Rough tactics hy the visitors caused an unpleasant incident. Opotiki had several free kicks in succession. From play in the Omaio half, the visitors’ forwards broke away and invaded Opotiki territory. An Omaio player was penalised for offside play hut Opotiki gained little advantage. Play remained in the Opotiki 25 and then the visitors were again penalised for offside play. r l lie* kick gained little ground. Just before half-time an Opotiki player was penalised for offside play. On resuming play the game was lull of incident- and Opotiki lost- no time iu increasing the score, the ball being touched clown in a good position. The kick was successful.

Opotiki 8, Omaio 0. Opotiki. again went into Omaio territory and then for offside play tho local team had a kick at goal from well out. A splendid kick went between the uprights. Opotiki 11. Omaio 0. The Opotiki backs broke away but Connor looked back too much for support and slowed up when he had a clear run and a certain try. was lost. Again the Opotiki backs secured and the ball was passed out. to see another try scored between the posts. An easy kick missed badly. Opotiki 14, Omaio 0. The Opotiki forwards broke away and outpaced the opposition for Le Pine to fall on the ball. The kick went over.

Opotiki Iff, Omaio 0. On resuming an Omaio player was put off for illegal tactics. An Omaio rush went to the Opotiki line but the home side retaliated and worked up the field. Debreceny put in a good run and passed out to the wing but a knock-on spoilt a good movement. Opotiki was penalised f° r offside plaj and then another Omaio player was put off tlie field. Opotiki again set up an attack and Debreceny took a good pass and scored behind the posts. The kick at goal was a poor one. Opotiki? 22, Omaio 0. AA'itli two men short the visitors livened up and from forward play scored. The kick went low. Opotiki 22, Omaio 3. The visitors again pressed and soon scored in tin; corner. The kick missed. Opotiki 22. Omaio 6. Omaio forced twice in quick time and the final whistie went soon afterwards with nb further score.